Some cities connect with their gay pride events and others don't. It's hard to think of another major city that has embraced its gay pride as Sydney has.
Last year Conde Nast named Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras as one of the world's top ten costume parades in the world. Meanwhile PlanetOut named it as the best gay event in the world. It still remains the one truly global gay annual event and a uniquely attractive escape from the Northern Hemisphere winter.
Once again conxity.com is proud to be featuring packages from Rainbow High Vacations - the Canadian company that has been sending revellers from around the world to Sydney for Mardi Gras for 16 years. These packages are flexible and can be modified so you can make your experience in Sydney the best it can possibly be.
The Parties Package includes tickets to the three best events of the week including the spectacular Mardi Gras party on the Saturday night, and leaves plenty of time during the week to see the sights (if you a first-time visitor) or just hang out on the beach (if you've been to Mardi Gras before).
If you're short on time or want to make the Sydney Mardi Gras a part of a larger trip to Australia, the Favourites Package gives you the essentials to enjoy the weekend. Watching the parade from the exclusive Glamour Bar is termendously fun - and very cruisey!
And for those on a budget the No Frills Package gives you the essentials - a roof over your head and a ticket to the Mardi Gras party.
If you're on a tight budget and want to keep costs down, the No Frills Package is as simple as it gets.
Rainbow High Vacations again offers a post Mardi Gras recovery week on the famous Great Barrier Reef. This traditional getaway after the fun and frolic of Sydney is a favourite way to chill on the beach for locals and visitors alike.
Here Are Some Quick Facts To Help You Plan Your Trip to Sydney Mardi Gras
For complete information about gay and lesbian Sydney, check out conxGuide: Sydney.
Local Time
Gay Neighbourhoods
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Although becoming more mixed in the last decade, Oxford Street is the traditional heart of gay and lesbian Sydney and is the home to many of the city's bars and clubs.
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Lesbians have been hanging out in Newtown for years and now gay men are moving there and to neighbouring Erskinville and Redfern.
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Affectionately called Dykeheart, Leichhardt is home to lots of lesbians and Sydney's Italian community.
Walk from Bronte Beach past Tamarama to the north end of Bondi Beach where you can treat yourself to a flat white.
More Local Info
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For a city of Sydney's stature, there's a surprisingly limited amount of gay and lesbian information online. Probably the best general source is the Mardi Gras website.
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The online version of the Sydney Star Observer, the local queer newspaper, has limited listings but a lot of current info.
Sydneysiders take their coffee very seriously and you can find independent good quality cafes everywhere. A "white" coffee has cream while a "black" does not. A "flat white" (probably the most common cafe order) is similar to a "no foam" latte. If you're looking for a weaker, North American style coffee, try McDonalds.
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Purchase your duty free on arrival at Sydney airport. As you walk from your arrival gate to the customs hall you will pass by a large, well-priced duty free area. Rather than lugging your duty free purchases around with you on your flight you can skip that hassle and simply buy them as you arrive in Australia.
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Australians can use colourful expressions in conversation so don't be surprised if you sometimes don't quite follow what's being said. And, yes, they do say "mate" an awful lot.
